THE New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership has appointed Anglian Water director Mark Pendlington to its board.

His appointment, through an open recruitment process, fills a vacancy resulting from the resignation from the LEP board earlier this year of Hutchison Ports chief executive David Gledhill on health grounds.

Mr Pendlington is currently a group director of Anglian Water, one of the biggest employers in the East of England, and is already involved in the LEP’s work as chairman of its Green Economy Pathfinder project.

He is also a member of the CBI East of England council and the Institute of Directors’ regional council, and is also actively involved with Business in the Community and a member of the Prince of Wales’ Rural Leadership Team.

Before joining Anglian Water he was a board member of BAA Stansted and previously chief executive of the Country Land and Business Association.

Andy Wood, chairman of the New Anglia LEP, said: “We were sad when David had to stand down from the board as he had made a valuable contribution to the work of the LEP.

“I want to thank all those who applied to join the board. I was greatly encouraged with the calibre of individuals who put themselves forward. I believe this is testament to the progress we are making as a partnership.

“Mark Pendlington is an excellent appointment and brings a wealth of experience from a range of sectors and organisations and has already played a big part in the LEP through his role chairing our Green Economy Pathfinder.”

Mr Pendlington said: “I am truly delighted to be joining the board of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership which is already doing some really good work.

“I will also be continuing my role as chairman of the Green Economy Pathfinder which is now entering an exciting phase and look forward to supporting the LEP in its core role of supporting jobs growth.”

Private sector LEP board members receive no remuneration for the role and are expected to contribute a minimum of one day a month to the role.